And NOW is the time to get in touch! We offer landscape designs, patio layout, paver renovations, Woodland and natural landscapes, plus shade gardens, and perennial bed installations: Wheaton, Geneva, Naperville, Oak Park, and many more communities where our landscapes can be seen. ED is also an arborist, so we can talk tree health and plant health!

Pale echinachea or pale coneflower is an easy to grow native wildflower, found in our higher quality remnant prairies of the Midwest. Easy to plug into your sunny landscapes- good for native bees and butterflies.

Native species require little if any fertilizer, little water (once established), no need for pesticides, and are a huge benefit for local and endangered insect and butterfly species- such as our imperiled monarch butterfly. Simply incorporate such species into a sunny bed in your yard. Contact us for further info.

Glen Ellyn Il landscape design: showing a small raised bed which encloses this outdoor patio space and pergola. We used many low maint. native species plus the ever-blooming ‘Rosanne’ Geranium, and Peach ‘Drift’ Rose. A colorful palette of plants to be sure- in this landscape for seasonal color and winter interest.

Natural stone walls were built to hold the new planting to compliment this vintage Glen Ellyn residence

Perennials and native species selected for their hardiness and drought tolerance.

Color year-round with varied species

An outdoor living space and Glen Ellyn landscape make over & design by Max’s Greener Places. Utilizing native species and grasses ( important for many reasons- CONTACT us to learn more), plus many perennials are seen, DRIFT roses and juniper for winter cover.

Pine sawfly can strip your mugho and scotch pine foliage. Feeding on last years foliage will leave the plants looking ragged. Planting species that are not on the sawfly menu helps as does being on alert in early spring and removal before the damage is done. A hard spray of water, shaking the shrubs, or applying BT ( a natural bacteria)Contact certified arborist Ed Max through the contact us button above for advice on your landscapes soon.

Fire is the key ingredient to maintaining these few prairie remnants we have left in the Chicagoland area, like this one near Wheaton and Carol Stream IL,Experienced naturalist and landscape designer Ed Max led his team on this annual burn. As seen in this picture…it was a success!Fire keeps the invasives at bay, and recycles the old growth and debris.See maxlandcape.com for more on caring for your open spaces.

Contact Ed Max for advice and ideas for your prairie, and adding native species to your landscape palette.

Same area of this woodland garden a month after the fire – what a difference!

caption id=”attachment_1369″ align=”aligncenter” width=”300″] Controlled burns benefit the landscapes and natural woodland gardens. As seem here in the woodlands of Dupage Co. near West Chicago and Winfield, Il.[/caption]

Controlled fires can make a quick clean up of a messy, and leaf clogged woodland. Be sure to have the proper permits, safety training, and water at the ready! Use an experienced crew to burn your prairies and woodlands. Your open spaces will appreciate it!

Native and ornamental witchhazels attract pollinators, which is especially important early in the season for these hungry bees, as seen in this colorful landscape in West Chicago Wheaton area. Seen… the hungry honeybee here……and On March 12th.!!!

Spring is the optimal time to plant trees, especially native species such as Bur oak (Quercus mac.), Red oak (Quercus rub.), Hackberry, Gingko, or Hickory. Many Trees are dug only in spring. So, for best selection, and to avoid selecting trees that have been above ground for too long-again, spring is best. Many woody trees and shrubs spend their winters setting root, in warm weather allocating energy above ground. With a few months to get settled, the new tree will have the winter to begin root development. We have a qualified arborist on staff that can help with selection and installation of your new investment!

The state champion Bur oak of Mo. Approx. 250 + yrs old and A giant! Recommended oak for our urban areas, does well with drought, pollutants etc (click pic to see) Hannibal area.

Old cedar trees: To think what these trees have witnessed over the eons!(native red cedar (Juniperus)